Patentable/Patents/US-9628612
US-9628612

Mobile phone call handling

PublishedApril 18, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A method, system, and computer program product include a processor detecting, ambient noise in the vicinity of the mobile telephone and accessing one or more stored sounds. The processor determines that the ambient noise matches a stored sound of the one or more stored sounds and based on the determining, switches handling of incoming calls to the mobile phone to a predetermined state.

Patent Claims
13 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A computer-implemented method, the method comprising: detecting, by a processor, ambient noise in a vicinity of the mobile telephone; accessing, by the processor, one or more stored sounds; determining, by the processor, that the ambient noise matches a stored sound of the one or more stored sounds and further determining that the ambient noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation; switching, by the processor, based on the specific type of conversation, handling of incoming calls to the mobile phone from a previous state to a predetermined state; and switching, by the processor, the handling of the incoming calls back to the previous state, after a predetermined period of time, based on an expiration of the predetermined period of time.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone call handling method implemented in a computer system automatically adjusts how incoming calls are handled based on detected ambient noise. The method detects ambient noise using the phone's microphone. It compares the detected noise to a library of stored sound signatures. If a match is found, AND the system determines the noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation, such as a meeting, the phone switches to a pre-determined call handling state (e.g., sending calls to voicemail, silencing the phone, or rejecting calls). After a set amount of time, the phone reverts to its previous call handling state.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the determining comprises: determining, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone call handling method where the detection of matching ambient noise to a stored sound requires the match to persist for a pre-defined duration before the call handling state is changed. This prevents brief, spurious noises from triggering unwanted call diversions. For example, the system determines, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound. This ensures the noise is consistent and not just a momentary sound.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Plain English Translation

In the mobile phone call handling method, the predetermined state that the phone switches to can be one or more of several options. These options include: automatically diverting all incoming calls directly to voicemail, silencing the phone ringer and vibration alerts for incoming calls, or automatically rejecting all incoming calls. The predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone call handling method also includes the ability for the user to create and store custom sound signatures. The phone receives an audio input from the user, typically through the microphone, and stores this audio as one of the stored sounds that the system uses for ambient noise matching. This allows the system to learn and adapt to specific environments and user preferences. This is done by receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. A computer program product comprising: a computer readable storage medium readable by a processor and storing instructions for execution by the one or more processor for performing a method comprising: detecting, by the processor, ambient noise in a vicinity of the mobile telephone; accessing, by the processor, one or more stored sounds; determining, by the processor, that the ambient noise matches a stored sound of the one or more stored sounds and further determining that the ambient noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation; switching, by the processor, based on the specific type of conversation, handling of incoming calls to the mobile phone from a previous state to a predetermined state; and switching, by the processor, the handling of the incoming calls back to the previous state, after a predetermined period of time, based on an expiration of the predetermined period of time.

Plain English Translation

A computer program, stored on a computer-readable medium, that enables a mobile phone to automatically adjust call handling based on ambient noise. The program instructs the phone's processor to: detect ambient noise, compare it to stored sound signatures, and determine if the noise matches a stored sound AND represents a specific conversation type. If a match is found, the phone switches to a pre-set call handling state. After a specific time, the phone returns to its previous call handling state. The determining comprises further determining that the ambient noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The computer program product of claim 5 , wherein the determining comprises: determining, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The computer program for mobile phone call handling, where the detection of matching ambient noise to a stored sound requires the match to persist for a pre-defined duration before the call handling state is changed. This prevents brief, spurious noises from triggering unwanted call diversions. For example, the system determines, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound. This ensures the noise is consistent and not just a momentary sound.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The computer program product of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Plain English Translation

In the computer program for mobile phone call handling, the predetermined state that the phone switches to can be one or more of several options. These options include: automatically diverting all incoming calls directly to voicemail, silencing the phone ringer and vibration alerts for incoming calls, or automatically rejecting all incoming calls. The predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The computer program product of claim 5 , the method further comprising: receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The computer program for mobile phone call handling also includes instructions for the user to create and store custom sound signatures. The phone receives an audio input from the user, typically through the microphone, and stores this audio as one of the stored sounds that the system uses for ambient noise matching. This allows the system to learn and adapt to specific environments and user preferences. This is done by receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. A system comprising: a memory; a processor in communication with the memory; and program instructions executable by the processor via the memory to perform a method, the method comprising: detecting, by the processor, ambient noise in a vicinity of the mobile telephone; accessing, by the processor, one or more stored sounds; determining, by the processor, that the ambient noise matches a stored sound of the one or more stored sounds and further determining that the ambient noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation; switching, by the processor, based on the specific type of conversation, handling of incoming calls to the mobile phone from a previous state to a predetermined state; and switching, by the processor, the handling of the incoming calls back to the previous state, after a predetermined period of time, based on an expiration of the predetermined period of time.

Plain English Translation

A mobile phone system for automatically adjusting call handling based on detected ambient noise. The system includes a memory for storing data and program instructions, and a processor that executes those instructions. The instructions cause the phone to: detect ambient noise, compare it to stored sound signatures, and determine if the noise matches a stored sound AND represents a specific conversation type. If a match is found, the phone switches to a pre-set call handling state. After a specific time, the phone returns to its previous call handling state. The determining comprises further determining that the ambient noise corresponds to a specific type of conversation.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the determining comprises: determining, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone call handling system where the detection of matching ambient noise to a stored sound requires the match to persist for a pre-defined duration before the call handling state is changed. This prevents brief, spurious noises from triggering unwanted call diversions. For example, the system determines, by the processor, for a predetermined period of time, that the ambient noise matches the stored sound. This ensures the noise is consistent and not just a momentary sound.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Plain English Translation

In the mobile phone call handling system, the predetermined state that the phone switches to can be one or more of several options. These options include: automatically diverting all incoming calls directly to voicemail, silencing the phone ringer and vibration alerts for incoming calls, or automatically rejecting all incoming calls. The predetermined state comprises at least one of: passing the incoming calls to voicemail, switching the mobile phone to silent, or rejecting the incoming calls.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. The system of claim 9 , the method further comprising: receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone call handling system also includes the ability for the user to create and store custom sound signatures. The phone receives an audio input from the user, typically through the microphone, and stores this audio as one of the stored sounds that the system uses for ambient noise matching. This allows the system to learn and adapt to specific environments and user preferences. This is done by receiving, by the processor, an audio input and storing the audio input as the stored sound.

Claim 13

Original Legal Text

13. The system of claim 9 , further comprising: a microphone in communication with the processor, the microphone to detect ambient noise in the vicinity of the system and to provide the ambient noise to the processor.

Plain English Translation

The mobile phone call handling system includes a microphone, connected to the processor, used to detect the ambient noise in the phone's surroundings. The microphone captures the sound and sends the audio data to the processor for analysis and matching against the stored sound signatures. This provides the input for the automatic call handling adjustment functionality.

Classification Codes (CPC)

Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.

Patent Metadata

Filing Date

December 18, 2015

Publication Date

April 18, 2017

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